Arca Publishing

Eger, Claudia

Miller, Graham

Scarles, Caroline

 
Title: Tourism and Gendered Silences: Emplacing the Meaning of Gender In/Equality 
Author: Claudia Eger1, Graham Miller2, & Caroline Scarles2 
Affiliation: University of Warwick1; University of Surrey2 
Contact: c.eger@warwick.ac.uk 
Session Type: Presentation 
 
Abstract: 
Gendered discourses of community life establish parallel narratives of tourism and 
development that can provide limited scope for transformational change. This raises questions 
about the ways in which tourism can be integrated more effectively within the gender agenda of 
destinations. By emplacing the meaning of gender and dis/empowerment in Berber communities, 
this study aims to engage with the multiple subjectivities that (re)produce an understanding of 
gender-based inequality. While tourism does not directly interact with women’s empowerment in 
this context, tour operators’ investment in education projects for girls contributes to the creation 
of alternative dialogues between community and development discourses. 
The adoption of an Islamic feminist framework promotes a critical and contextual 
understanding of how difference is produced through discourse and how this is manifested 
through wider material and cultural inequalities. To study the complex intersections and 
interactions between theory, context, and partial perspectives, this research adopts a case study 
approach positioned within the context of tour operators’ involvement in destination 
communities, identifying the Education for All project in Morocco as an example of a tourism-
supported educational project. Data collection draws on participant observation and qualitative 
interviews, with the research conducted with school-aged children being paired with respondent-
led visual methods. 
Findings show that the girls’ understanding of empowerment is based on a sense of 
responsibility for the self, which does not forfeit the flourishing of community bonds. However, 
it questions underpinning gender ideologies that build on an understanding of equality based on 
respect and shame. Women’s increasing education and demand of respect rests on processes of 
negotiation and mobilisation that, over time, might have the potential to challenge the local 
gender order and have knock-on effects on wider community development. This process can be 
in alignment with social norms and general community desire. However, there is significant 
scope for it to be disruptive, and it is through these disruptions that the current understanding can 
be challenged and the opportunity to create differences from within is afforded. 
 
 
 
  


English

Tourism and Gendered Silences: Emplacing the Meaning of Gender In/Equality

Bettinson, Emma

 
Title: The Internationalisation of Doctoral Studies: A Wasted Opportunity? 
Author: Emma Bettinson 
Affiliation: University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 
Contact: ebettinson@cardiffmet.ac.uk 
Session Type: Presentation 
 
Abstract: 
The internationalisation of higher education has given rise to student mobility ‘of 
industrial proportions’ (Walker, 2014, p. 325). In 2014, the number of international (non-EU) 
students studying in higher education in the UK had risen to over 435,000, making a 
contribution of £2.3 billion to UK institutions (UKCISA, 2015). This meant that British 
universities had the second highest number of international students in the world (after the US) 
and the proportion of international students in the student body was the second highest globally 
(Walker, 2014). 
The ever-increasing number of international students has attracted the interest of both 
academics and policy makers in recent years (Bilecen, 2013). However, Bilecen (2013) 
highlights the lack of research into the experiences of postgraduate international students, despite 
their importance as high academic achievers, capable of innovation and thereby having an 
influence at the institutional level and, potentially, at the national level. 
This lack of research into the postgraduate international student experience is particularly 
surprising, considering that, in the UK, international students comprise 50% of full-time research 
degree students (UKCISA, 2011). In 2013–2014, there were 32,650 international research degree 
students in the UK (HESA 2014). There has, therefore, been a radical change in the doctoral 
student cohort in the UK, as these students have brought with them different academic cultures 
and intellectual traditions (Ryan, 2012). 
Ryan (2012) suggests that the doctoral relationship provides a perfect means for the 
exchange of cultural intellectual ideas and creating new knowledge, which can be transformative 
for higher education. Rizvi (2010) argues that, in order to encourage and facilitate this exchange, 
we need an understanding of the complex challenges that doctoral students face whilst 
negotiating this transnational journey, in order to make decisions regarding the new practices in 
the doctoral education of these globally mobile students. 
This paper emanates from my own PhD research into the challenges of the doctoral 
journey in Tourism Studies. Whilst it acknowledges that there are many challenges along this 
journey, it suggests that perhaps the biggest obstacle to cross-cultural exchange is the ‘Academy’ 
of Tourism Studies itself and its reluctance to embrace the Other. 
 
 
  


The Internationalisation of Doctoral Studies: A Wasted Opportunity?

Benjamin, Stefanie

Moret, Lauren

âYes, and-ingâ Fieldwork: Using Improvisational Games to Assist Researchers and Novice Evaluators

Amir, Balnur

Assipova, Zhanna Assipova

 
Title: Critical Overview of Tourism Industry in Kazakhstan 
Author: Balnur Amir & Zhanna Assipoza 
Affiliation: Kazakh National University 
Contact: amir_balnur@mail.ru 
Session Type: Presentation 
 
Abstract: 
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet countries emerged and 
became independent and began the transition from centrally planned economies to market 
economies. This presentation offers a case study of Kazakhstan. It examines the development of 
tourism in Kazakhstan as a newly independent country. The presentation outlines key changes 
since independence in 1991 and identifies the main features of tourism. The earlier tourism 
model is reviewed as a historical background to the contemporary situation. This presentation 
offers an analysis of the current situation in the tourism industry and the state measures for its 
development. It concludes with some observations about problems, prospects, potential 
strengths, and weaknesses of tourism development in Kazakhstan and makes some suggestions 
for further research. 
 
 
  


Critical Overview of Tourism Industry in Kazakhstan

Bell, Claudia

Retirement, Risk, and Rescue: Western Retirees as Permanent Tourists in S E Asia

Zillinger, Malin

Why Should We Teach Tourism at Universities?

Vieira, Maria Joao

Quality of Life of Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: A Conceptual Model

Sedgley, Diane

Haven-Tang, Claire

Cockburn-Wooten, Cheryl

Reactions to and Anticipated Consequences of Brexit for UK Older People with Second Homes in Spain

Ryan, Lousie

Picken, Felicity

âToo Much to Look AtâSea, Seagulls, Art!â: The Experiential Appeal of Art Exhibitions in Public Leisure Spaces

Ooi, Can Seng

 
 
Title: Sustainable Tourism in the Anthropocene: The Case for Ugly Tourism 
Author: Can Seng Ooi 
Affiliation: Copenhagen Business School 
Contact: cso.int@cbs.dk 
Session Type: Presentation 
 
Abstract: 
In 2016, it was recommended by the International Geological Congress that we declare 
Earth is now in a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene. The period started in 1950. The exact 
start is moot, but the acknowledgement that human activities have a profound impact on Earth is 
of little doubt in the scientific community. 
The Anthropocene characterizes a geological trajectory of Earth defined largely by 
human activities. The acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions, rising sea levels, global mass 
extinction of species, wanton deforestation, and aggressive urbanization come about from our 
social, political, economic, and cultural practices. The prevalent vision of human development, 
growth, and prosperity have shaped our planet. Tourism is one of those human activities. 
This proposed presentation is a first step for me to present initial ideas on Anthropocene and 
Ugly Tourism, or hard-truth tourism. The increasing interest in sustainable tourism is an indirect 
recognition that tourism is contributing to climate change. This presentation will highlight a 
number of paradoxes and contradictions in sustainable tourism practices. It will also present the 
case for Ugly Tourism. 
What is Ugly Tourism? Selected places and stories are often stylized and aestheticized 
for tourism consumption. Many places with dark histories are presented in creative and palatable 
forms, for instance. There are many places that tell unpleasant stories that have not been spruced 
up—such as urban slums, deforested areas, abandoned mines, and polluted skies—and tourists 
encounter them. These are not considered tourist attractions. These places may attract curiosity, 
comments, anger, disgust, and ambivalence. Ugly Tourism refers to the often inadvertent 
encounter of these unpleasant sites. 
There are at least three elements in the definition of Ugly Tourism. One, it refers to “non-
places” that tourists inadvertently encounter. Two, these places tell unpleasant stories and 
realities about the human situation, and these places may not look offensive to some people. 
Three, these realities remain relevant to modern society. 
For instance, a derelict mining town like Tallah in Tasmania is not considered a tourist 
attraction. Many tourists drive past Tallah on their way to the beautiful Cradle Mountain 
attraction or the surrounding nature spots. But the town holds stories of past glories and current 
hardships of the dwindling community. Just as importantly, despite its downtown, the extractive 
industries remain active, relevant, and central to our consumerist society and to economic 
prosperity today. Many environmentally oriented tourists passing through will look at Tallah 
with indifference or even with disdain. But these same tourists may carry gadgets such as smart 
phones that are dependent on the extractive industries. 
This project wants to address the fleeting encounters tourists have with these ugly non-
places. It will accentuate the myriad of contradictory stories of the human situation and tourism 
practices. The project will also advocate Ugly Tourism as a form of sustainable tourism practice, 
with the intention of converting tourists’ senses of disgust and possibly guilt into constructive 
activism during their travels. 
 


Sustainable Tourism in the Anthropocene: The Case for Ugly Tourism

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